When preparing for a move, it's crucial to evaluate your goals and timeline. Consider factors such as the distance of your move, the size of your new home, and how organized you want to be when you arrive.
As a rule of thumb, remember that "later" is not a day on the calendar. Planning ahead is key to a smooth transition. To assist you, I’ve compiled a Home Buyers Checklist with a Countdown Before Moving to help keep you on track.
Decluttering is one of the first and most important tasks when preparing your home for sale or a move. After sorting through your belongings, the next steps involve updating your home to make it "picture-ready." This may include:
• Painting: Fresh coats of paint can significantly enhance the appeal of your home.
• Updating Lighting: Replacing outdated light fixtures can modernize your space.
• Staging: Take down family photos or items that might distract potential buyers, following any suggestions from a realtor or stager.
Key Questions to Guide Your Decision-Making:
Before you start packing, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to help streamline the process:
1. What do I truly need or want to bring with me?
2. How much storage will my new home have?
3. What are my moving costs?
4. Which items hold emotional value or sentimental attachment?
1. Consign Items: Consider consigning furniture, artwork, musical instruments, or clothing. Local consignment stores offer a way to sell valuable or gently used items.
2. Cash: If a garage sale doesn’t appeal to you, online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local reuse groups like Used Vancouver or Surrey Reuses can help you sell your items quickly. Additionally, bookshops like MacLeod’s Books, Lawrence Books, and Tanglewood may purchase your used books.
Recycling Unwanted or Broken Items
Proper disposal and recycling are essential to minimizing waste. Fortunately, there are numerous options for recycling unwanted items:
• Recyclepedia (Recycling Council of British Columbia): Use this tool to find recycling programs for various materials.
• Retailer Takeback Programs: Many retailers offer voluntary recycling programs for items like eyeglasses, batteries, small appliances, etc.
• TerraCycle: Offers national recycling programs for items such as contact lenses, cleaning products, and office supplies.
• Return-It: A great resource for disposing of electronics, large appliances, and medical equipment.
• Waste Control Services Inc. (formerly RedBag Recycling): Provides secure paper shredding, car seat recycling, and disposal of soft plastics and styrofoam (businesses only).
The First Step: Decluttering
Decluttering is one of the first and most important tasks when preparing your home for sale or a move. After sorting through your belongings, the next steps involve updating your home to make it "picture-ready." This may include:
• Painting: Fresh coats of paint can significantly enhance the appeal of your home.
• Updating Lighting: Replacing outdated light fixtures can modernize your space.
• Staging: Take down family photos or items that might distract potential buyers, following any suggestions from a realtor or stager.
Key Questions to Guide Your Decision-Making:
Before you start packing, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to help streamline the process:
1. What do I truly need or want to bring with me?
2. How much storage will my new home have?
3. What are my moving costs?
4. Which items hold emotional value or sentimental attachment?
The 3 C’s of Decluttering: Consignment, Cash, and Charity
1. Consign Items: Consider consigning furniture, artwork, musical instruments, or clothing. Local consignment stores offer a way to sell valuable or gently used items.
2. Cash: If a garage sale doesn’t appeal to you, online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local reuse groups like Used Vancouver or Surrey Reuses can help you sell your items quickly. Additionally, bookshops like MacLeod’s Books, Lawrence Books, and Tanglewood may purchase your used books.
3. Charity: Donating unwanted items is a great way to give back. Websites like Freecycle.org and the Buy Nothing Project are excellent resources for giving away clothing or household goods. Many local charities also accept donations, including:
• Shelter to Home: Accepts furniture, linens, dishes, and more.
• Lookout Housing + Health Society: Accepts beds, furniture, household goods, linens, and winter clothing (North and West Vancouver locations).
• Helping Families in Need Society: Visit their website for a full list of acceptable items.
• HomeStart Foundation: Accepts night tables, dressers, kitchen and dining room furniture, sofas (no sofa beds), armchairs, and coffee tables.
• Lookout Housing + Health Society: Accepts beds, furniture, household goods, linens, and winter clothing (North and West Vancouver locations).
• Helping Families in Need Society: Visit their website for a full list of acceptable items.
• HomeStart Foundation: Accepts night tables, dressers, kitchen and dining room furniture, sofas (no sofa beds), armchairs, and coffee tables.
Recycling Unwanted or Broken Items
Proper disposal and recycling are essential to minimizing waste. Fortunately, there are numerous options for recycling unwanted items:
• Recyclepedia (Recycling Council of British Columbia): Use this tool to find recycling programs for various materials.
• Retailer Takeback Programs: Many retailers offer voluntary recycling programs for items like eyeglasses, batteries, small appliances, etc.
• TerraCycle: Offers national recycling programs for items such as contact lenses, cleaning products, and office supplies.
• Return-It: A great resource for disposing of electronics, large appliances, and medical equipment.
• Waste Control Services Inc. (formerly RedBag Recycling): Provides secure paper shredding, car seat recycling, and disposal of soft plastics and styrofoam (businesses only).
Feeling Overwhelmed? Seek Professional Help If the logistics of moving, decluttering, and organizing seem overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals who can simplify the process. Whether you need assistance with planning, packing, or staging, I can connect you with experienced experts who can help make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact me today for a no-obligation discovery meeting, and let’s explore how we can streamline your move.
By following these tips and utilizing available resources, you can ensure that your move is efficient, organized, and as stress-free as possible.
By following these tips and utilizing available resources, you can ensure that your move is efficient, organized, and as stress-free as possible.
